White House Announces Federal Employee Layoffs as Shutdown Approaches Third Week
Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing federal funding lapse, which is set to extend into its third consecutive week.
Official Announcement and Early Information
Russell Vought posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s process for terminating staff.
While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that layoff warnings had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.
Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges
Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services used by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the actions in the legal system.
This is shameful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.
The AFL-CIO responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute
Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, criticized opposition lawmakers for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.
“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”
Legal and Operational Constraints
Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any layoffs during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to execute layoffs.
An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.
Consequences for Employees
These terminations took place on the very day that federal workers received only a partial paycheck covering the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the start of the period.
A public service advocate, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.
“It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our federal operations running,” Stier stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.”
A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the funding gap.